Pilot Study for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma Treatment at UPMC

New Research for Malignant Mesothelioma

Dr Brian Loggie

Creighton Cancer Center Brings New Hope for a Rare Diagnosis

Creighton Cancer Center Brings New Hope for a Rare Diagnosis

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) has long been a challenging condition to treat. Among the several diagnoses included under this “umbrella” description (Pseudomyxoma peritonei, ovarian cancer, a variety of gastrointestinal cancers, etc.) malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) has been one of the most complex conditions to treat.

Recently, surgical oncologist and peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment specialist, Dr Brian Loggie, advised the PMP Pals’ Network of the innovative research being conducted at Creighton University for the treatment of MPM.

Dr Loggie tells PMP Pals:

“Our group at Creighton University identified mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in some cases of MPM (reference below). One of these mutations was already known in lung cancer research and had implications for targeted therapy – a point mutation known as L858R. Using DNA sequencing techniques, we identified that in 9/29 (31%) of MPM cases that there were a variety of point mutations in EGFR.

We knew that the L858R mutation was activating the EGFR pathway but not about the status of 7 new mutations that we had found. Thus, in the laboratory, all mutations were laboriously reconstructed in full length EGFR and tested in a cell model.

All mutations were found to be activating the EGFR pathway. All increases in EGFR activity were successfully knocked down in the cell model using clinically available EGFR inhibitors.

These drugs are used successfully for targeted clinical treatment in patients with the L858R mutation in lung cancer. The theory is that these mutations can turn on an important pathway for tumor growth. These cells become “pathway addicted” which makes this an attractive biologic target for therapy. “

Dr Loggie continues:

“At present, renowned medical oncologist Dr Hedy Kindler, University of Chicago has begun a phase II clinical trial to take advantage of this exciting new potential treatment target in patients with MPM. This biologically targeted therapy could be applicable to up to about a third of patients with MPM. We have worked with her a lot in the past and she has been wonderful to work with. They can test for mutations there. We have resumed testing for EGFR mutations in our MPM patients.”

Content will no longer be updated here and will be migrated to the Pseudomyxoma Survivor website as appropriate. If you have any queries or there is anything with which we might be able to help you, please do not hesitate toget in touch with us.

Copyright (c) 2014 PMP Pals' Network. All rights reserved. Website design by PMP Pals' Publishing. Information on this website is not intended as a substitute for licensed, professional medical advice. Each case is unique. Patients should seek the counsel of their own licensed, healthcare professional(s.)